Activity of ethanolic extracts of Asparagopsis taxiformis against the major molecular types of Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii complex

Infections due to Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii complex have been reported to afflict, not only humans but also other mammals including seabirds and cetaceans, proving that the actual animal exposure to these fungi in nature could be underestimated. In this study, antifungal activity of ethanolic extracts obtained from red alga Asparagopsis taxiformis was evaluated against eight major genotypes of the C. neoformans/C. gattii complex, using both disk diffusion and microdilution broth methods. The algal extracts were active against all fungal strains tested and were not cytotoxic to human red blood cells. This study suggests that Asparagopsis taxiformis extracts possess attractive antifungal properties which should encourage the search for new drugs derived from marine algae

An observational study on the effects of early and late risk factors on the development of childhood obesity in the South of Italy

Background: Child obesity is today one of the greatest health emergencies, on such a large scale as to be considered a global epidemic by the WHO and, unfortunately, Italy holds the worst European record. Methods: We conducted an observational study to investigate the effects of early and late risk factors on the development of primary childhood obesity. We collected anthropometric parameters, information about early risk markers and late risk factors on a sample of 280 children from March 2016 to December 2017. Results: Statistically significant associations emerged between: child's BMI and education level of the mother (p<0.001) and the father (p<0.05); level of parents' education and qualitative variables (subjects’ physical activity level (p<0.05), consumption of carbonated beverages (p<0.05), fruit juices (p <0.05) and snacks (p<0.05); BMI and the presence or absence of a family history of obesity, DM and cardiovascular diseases. Significant linear correlations were found between weight classification (overweight/obese) and the consumption of carbonated drinks (p<0.05), snack consumption (p<0.05), physical activity levels (p<0.001) and duration of sleep in the afternoon (p<0.05). Conclusions: In our sample we found incorrect eating habits to be frequently linked to a low level of parental education; particularly for the mother, the main childcare provider

An evaluation of gambling addiction and video lottery in the South of Italy

Nowadays, pathological gambling is an emerging health problem. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM 5) renames it as 'Gambling Disorder' (GD), thus recognising its highly dependent status. A study was conducted from April 2016 to August 2017 to evaluate the prevalence of this phenomenon by administering an ad hoc questionnaire to adult individuals (both sexes) over the age of 18.  We analysed a sample of 562 individuals with DSM 5 criteria. We obtained a score > 4 indicating a possible mild gambling disorder in 1.6% of the sample and a score > 6 corresponding to a moderate GD in 2.3% of the sample. We observed that the main motivations for gambling were “having fun” and “the prospect of winning” and 10.9% of respondents had played more than they intended. Furthermore, "problematic" players showed to be more prone to alcohol abuse than "social" players (p < 0.001). Only 7.5% of respondents had already gambling problems in their family (involving in particular their mothers). The phenomenon is, therefore, quite common in our area and, indeed, 64.1% of the sample believes that gambling is a problem in their own territory, however only 20.6% would know where to find help. In conclusion, given the high socio-economic impact of this phenomenon, we believe that it is imperative to establish structured preventions programs in order to to contain the spread of this phenomenon.  Key words

Relazione tecnica sulle attività della Campagna oceanografica "Ancheva 2008"

La presente relazione riporta le attività di ricerca svolte nella Campagna oceanografica "Ancheva 2008", nel periodo dal 4 al 14 Agosto 2008 a bordo della N/O "G. Dallaporta". Le suddette attività sono state parte integrante del Progetto "lAboratori di testing per dispositivi eLettroacustici, sensorI oceanograFici e metodologie finalizzati al monitoraggio dello stato delle risorse biologiche del mare" (ALIF), finanziato dal CIPE attraverso l’Assessorato Industria della Regione Sicilia. Alla Campagna oceanografica hanno partecipato i seguenti Enti: 1. Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero (IAMC), CNR, U.O. (TP); 2. Istituto Scienze Marine (ISMAR–CNR), Sezione Pesca Marittima, CNR, Ancona; 3. FAO - MedSudMed Project; 4. Malta Centre for Fisheries Sciences (MCFS), Fort S. Lucjan, MarsaXlokk, Malta. L'obiettivo della Campagna oceanografica è stato quello di valutare la distribuzione e l’abbondanza di piccoli pelagici, prevalentemente sardina (Sardina pilchardus) e acciuga (Engraulis encrasicolus), con l’impiego di strumentazione elettroacustica. Nella prima parte, l’area di lavoro è stata delimitata dalla piattaforma meridionale della Sicilia (da Marsala a oltre Capo Passero), nella seconda parte è stata poi studiata la piattaforma continentale di Malta. Le attività svolte sono di seguito descritte sinteticamente: - Rilevazioni acustiche degli stock di piccoli pelagici con echosounder scientifico “Simrad EK60”, con trasduttori split beam a scafo; - Campionamenti biologici di piccoli pelagici con rete pelagica dotata di sistema acustico “Simrad ITI” per il controllo della geometria della rete durante le attività di campionamento; - Campionamento acqua per la misurazione dei parametri fisico-chimici della colonna d’acqua con la sonda multiparametrica “Seabird 9/11”

The Mediterranean Red Alga Asparagopsis: A Source of Compounds against Leishmania

Crude extracts and column fractions from the red algae Asparagopsis taxiformis and A. armata from the Strait of Messina (Italy) were screened for the production of antimicrobial compounds. Extracts from both species revealed remarkable antiprotozoal activity against Leishmania, revealing such algae as a great source of natural antiprotozoal products

Bioactivity of Phycocolloids against the Mediterranean Protozoan Leishmania infantum: An Inceptive Study

Sulfated polysaccharides from marine macroalgae have been shown to possess a variety of biological activities against fungi, bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. In this study, the in vitro activity of algal polysaccharides against Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) was investigated. The polysaccharides were extracted from different macroalgae of the Mediterranean Sea: Chaetomorpha linum, Agardhiella subulata, Gracilaria viridis, Gracilaria bursa-pastoris, Hypnea cornuta, Sargassum muticum, and Undaria pinnatifida. Preliminary results showed a good anti-leishmanial activity of the investigated species, encouraging the focus on their use as natural resources in order to match integrated management strategies for the employment of local macroalgae.Sulfated polysaccharides from marine macroalgae have been shown to possess a variety of biological activities against fungi, bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. In this study, the in vitro activity of algal polysaccharides against Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) was investigated. The polysaccharides were extracted from different macroalgae of the Mediterranean Sea: Chaetomorpha linum, Agardhiella subulata, Gracilaria viridis, Gracilaria bursa-pastoris, Hypnea cornuta, Sargassum muticum, and Undaria pinnatifida. Preliminary results showed a good anti-leishmanial activity of the investigated species, encouraging the focus on their use as natural resources in order to match integrated management strategies for the employment of local macroalgae

Is routine DNA barcoding an efficient tool to reveal introductions of alien macroalgae?A case study of <I>Agardhiella subulata</I> (Solieriaceae, Rhodophyta) in Cape Peloro lagoon (Sicily, Italy)

Une étude détaillée de la diversité des algues a été réalisée le long des côtes du Détroit de Messine (Italie) au moyen de code-barres ADN. Cette approche a confirmé l\u27introduction de Agardhiella subulata dans la lagune du Cap Peloro (Messine, Italie), un système aquatique dans lequel les pratiques aquacoles d\u27importation et de stabulation de coquillages sont courantes. Sur la base de la comparaison de la séquence codant la rbcL, il a été démontré qu\u27un spécimen en provenance du lac Ganzirri était conspécifique de A. subulata de Caroline du Nord (USA).Suspectant que les coquilles d\u27huîtres constituent le principal vecteur d\u27introduction d\u27espèces exogènes, les individus importés ont été minutieusement observés en vu de mettre en évidence la présence d\u27algues épizoïques qui ont été séquencées pour le marqueur mitochondrial COI. Un spécimen de petite taille croissant sur une coquille d\u27huître a été identifié comme A. subulata au moyen de sa séquence de COI, une tâche qui se serait avérée quasiment impossible, sur ce spécimen immature, sur la base de caractères morphologiques. Sur la base de cet exemple, nous concluons que le suivi de la biodiversité des algues couplées à une approche de code-barres ADN serait un moyen efficace et rapide pour détecter l\u27introduction d\u27espèces exogènes.Également disponible sur Connect.barcodeoflife A comprehensive assessment of macroalgal biodiversity was conducted along the coasts of the Straits of Messina (Italy) using DNA barcoding. This approach confirmed the introduction of Agardhiella subulata in Cape Peloro lagoon (Messina, Italy), an aquatic system in which shellfish importation and stabulation are widely practiced.Based on a comparison of rbcL sequences, a sample from lake Ganzirri was shown to be conspecific with A. subulata from North Carolina (USA).Suspecting that shells of the oyster Crassostrea gigas constitute the main vector for introduction of exogenous species, individuals from imported stocks were screened for the presence of epizoic algae, which were then sequenced for the DNA barcode region (5\u27 end of COI gene). A small specimen growing on an oyster shell was assigned with confidence to A. subulata based on its COI sequence, a task that would have been virtually impossible based on morphological characters of the immature specimen. Based on the example here, we conclude that monitoring algal diversity using DNA barcoding would clearly be a rapid and efficient approach to highlight the introduction of alien species.Also available on Connect.barcodeoflife </p

Lab experimental setting for analysis of Mytilus galloprovincialis’ behaviour after wave-generated sounds exposure

The present paper proposes an experimental lab setting and an innovative method in order to evaluate the behavioural reactions of Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) exposed to different acoustic stimuli. Ninety mussels were exposed for 30 minutes to one of five acoustic tones repeated in continuous or to the control condition. The tones lasted 1 s and differed in frequency band: Low frequencies-sweep (L, 0.1 - 5 kHz); Mid-Low frequencies-sweep (ML, 5 - 10 kHz); Mid frequencies-sweep (M, 10 - 20 kHz); Mid-High frequencies-sweep (MH, 20 - 40 kHz); High frequencies-sweep (H, 40 - 60 kHz). Experimental test sweeps were produced using a signal generator connected to underwater loudspeakers and a calibrated hydrophone was used to obtain acoustic recordings of sweeps and experimental tank background noise. An underwater camera, placed overhead the animals, recorded the mussels’ behaviours. A continuous visual sampling procedure, performed by an observatory, was adopted to detect the mussel gape rate and the outpouching of the muscular foot while an automatic analysis was performed using EthoVision XT 9.0 software. The behavioural parameters assessed automatically included changes in mobility status, movement, velocity and turn angle that are usually estimated in vertebrates and higher invertebrates